Schools Call for Community Input

Portland Public Schools Superintendent Carole Smith is calling for community members to join a citizens' committee to on student enrollment and transfer issues.
The district says the panel will explore both the policies and practice around school choice, enrollment and transfer, with topics such as priority and preferences in the school choice lottery, guarantees in student assignment and other important issues.
School district officials will begin reviewing applications the week of Oct. 6, but will accept applications until the committee is named.
The committee will be a critical sounding-board for Superintendent Smith as she considers changes to the school choice system to improve equity, access and educational achievement for students.
The committee is strictly advisory, but Smith says its members will have an impact on her recommendations to the School Board.
Committee members should represent distinct and diverse perspectives and experiences, but must share a common commitment to consider the district-wide impact of enrollment and transfer policies and practices.
The committee will include nine to 12 members, appointed by the superintendent for a one-year term. The committee will meet at least monthly with district staff beginning in October. The application can be picked up at the Enrollment and Transfer Office at district headquarters, 501 N. Dixon.
A Spanish-language application will be posted Sept. 23 at www.pps.k12.or.us.